CHICAGO TRIBUNE

Here’s a quick roundup of some new and interesting items on the pet products front.

Those golden years: As a pet owner, it’s sad when you first notice a beloved dog starting to struggle with the effects of age: the slower gait, the struggle to get up stairs, a diminishing appetite, lack of energy and playfulness.

The Quaker Pet Group’s Silver Tails line of products is aimed at the needs of senior pets. Among the items: an infrared hand-held massager to alleviate pain in sore muscles and joints ($39.99 manufacturer’s suggested retail price); a rear harness that helps dogs with hip, weight or post-surgery problems ($29.99); senior-friendly chew toys ($9.99-$14.99); and a wheat- and gluten-free protein powder to add to food that aids appetite, skin and coat condition and digestion ($11.99). Silver Tails products can be found at silvertails.com and at Petco stores and independent retailers.

Under the sea: Now you can have an exotic water creature with little of the headache. Eshopps has come out with man-made lionfish ($19.95) and orange jellyfish ($15.95), reef aquarium accessories that behave like the real thing (except for the stinging). See the jellyfish in action at youtube.com (type “Eshopps jellyfish” in the search field). The two products were voted best in show in the aquatics division at the Global Pet Expo in March. For buying information, email sales@eshopps.com.

Under the earth: Limbo Zoo is offering three eco-friendly urns for departed pets. They’re made from all-natural ingredients – sand, salt and soil – and are biodegradable. Cost is $89 each, including shipping. Most intriguing is the Geos Zoo urn, which features a lid that can be removed and into which a tree can be placed among the ashes. The urn contains nutrients to help the tree get started. The other two are the Nu urn, made of salt and intended to be placed in the ocean, where it will dissolve in less than five minutes, and the Samsara urn, made of sand and intended to be placed in fresh waters. More information is at limbo-northamerica.com.

The KittyKaddy: A person’s physical limitations can often affect their pet. Someone with limited mobility or range of motion and an inability to stoop or bend would have difficulty feeding or giving water to a pet or cleaning up after one. KittyKaddy (kittykaddy.com) offers several pet care tools – a litter scoop ($14), food and water bowl systems ($16), a litter pan ($11-$19), etc. – designed with helpful handles to make it easier for people to care for their pets. And here’s a bonus: The company offers a 20 percent discount to anyone who adopts a cat or dog from a shelter. Contact Marsha@kittykaddy.com for details.

Home turf: The Pet Loo gives your pet – dog, cat, rabbit or guinea pig – a place to relieve himself indoors. It’s a cleverly designed system. The animal goes on a synthetic grass surface, and the urine runs through it and drains into a containment unit. Solid matter can be picked up and disposed of, as you would when taking the pet outside. The Pet Loo is fully washable and comes in three sizes, ranging from 17-by-21 inches to 33-by-33. Available at www.thepetloo.com

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As more Melburnians make the switch to high-density living, how to manage animals in apartments is a hairy issue.

KIRA is a fluffy-white, 12-year-old dog. She lives on the 38th floor of Eureka Tower, rides on trams and goes to work with her owner daily.

The pampered bichon frise (she had a manicure before our interview) is part of a growing trend of people with pets living in apartments.

Kira and her owners, Louise Schaper and Ryan Turan, professionals who work in the city, have lived in Melbourne's tallest apartment tower for nearly a year.

Dr Schaper, like many prospective tenants with pets, relates a tale of rejection after rejection when applying for a place to live soon after arriving from Western Australia.

''No one would give us a place. I would explain, show photos, say she's small and doesn't shed [hair],'' Dr Schaper says. ''As soon as you say you've got a dog, you just go straight to the end of the line.''

In the end, a sympathetic real estate agent helped find an amiable landlord but only after they paid extra bond and $50-a-week more in rent

The couple chose an inner-city apartment lifestyle so they could ditch the car and walk to work. And they wanted their much-loved pet to live with them.

They're not the only ones making the lifestyle switch. Melbourne is undergoing a residential apartment boom with close to 13,000 dwellings in the development pipeline.

Increased affordability constraints and high house prices are pushing people into the already tight rental market, where vacancy rates are at record lows, particularly in inner-city areas.

It's all part of a long-term trend towards smaller, single-person households and strata-title living where a balcony barbecue and shared living spaces are more common than the backyard Hills Hoist.

A total of 22 per cent, or almost a quarter of all Australian households, are living in what could be considered medium or high-density housing, says the Petcare Information and Advisory Service.

It's also a social issue, with many Australians condemned to lonely and unhealthy lives because of bans on pets in rental accommodation, according to University of Tasmania sociologist Adrian Franklin.

Professor Franklin says there is considerable evidence to show companion animals are highly beneficial, but ''as our population ages until fully a quarter of the population is over 65, the disparity [from pet bans] can only become more obvious''.

As a result, body corporates, landlords and property developers are having to grapple with how to manage pets in apartments and rental accommodation. Some are doing it more successfully than others.

Several large apartment buildings such as Eureka Tower have pet-friendly body corporate rules that encourage or facilitate tenants or owners with animals.

Australand's Victorian residential general manager, Robert Pradolin, oversaw a pet-friendly approach at Freshwater Place in Southbank after living with his labradoodle BJ in an apartment. About 25 of the building's 530 apartments now have pets.

''It's something you can't ignore if you are designing apartments for living for the older generation,'' Mr Pradolin says. ''It's about companionship and that's important.'' It also makes commercial sense if you are targeting the owner-occupier market, he says.

But although goldfish don't make a splash, larger pets do. Overly large dogs, property damage, barking and other noise in confined spaces are concerns for landlords and body corporates. Smells, excrement (think of Parisian streets) and animal welfare issues – pets left alone in confined spaces for too long – also cause conflict.

The inner city has 2871 registered dogs and 1806 cats, a 28 and 19 per cent increase in two years, according to the City of Melbourne. Ten years ago few people lived in Docklands; now there are thousands and they own 111 dogs and 28 cats.

''No pet'' clauses in advertising and rental agreements are a constant source of grievance among tenants and landlords, according to Tenants Union policy worker Toby Archer.

Although Victoria's Residential Tenancies Act doesn't have rules on pets, the commonly used Real Estate Institute of Victoria's tenancy agreement does.

''The tenant must not keep any animal, bird or other pet on the premises without first obtaining the written permission of the landlord or agent. Permission will not be unreasonably withheld,'' it states.

The Tenants Union successfully challenged this ban several times, arguing landlords are not entitled to restrict tenants from having pets because it interferes with their ''quiet enjoyment'' of the property.

Tenants can't be evicted on the basis of the clause, says Mr Archer, but they can be evicted if their pet is a nuisance, damages property or is a danger.

''The last thing you want to do as a tenant is not be clear about that and then sometime down the track get into a dispute with your landlord.''

People are proving more willing to challenge the ''no pets'' clause.

A recent Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal hearing found in favour of a Geelong couple wanting a pet in their rental home.

''The tenants have permission to keep the labrador Harry at the rented premises on condition he sleeps in the outhouse and primarily resides outdoors,'' VCAT ruled in February.

Another yet-to-be-decided case sparked a legal stand-off between body corporates and landlords and will test which law – the Residential Tenancies Act or body corporate legislation – prevails.

The dispute was prompted when a landlord signed a tenancy agreement allowing the tenant to keep a pet in an apartment when the body corporate rules banned pets.

VCAT is yet to hand down a finding on the West Highland terrier versus Owners Corporation case.

Shontelle Payne, property manager for MICM Property, says although body corporates are becoming more pet-friendly, ultimately it comes down to the owner's decision.

''Depending on the pet, I'm always one to try and explain to the owner it's not necessarily a bad thing.

''Pets are not the worst problem.

''Kids do more damage than dogs,'' she says. ''Dogs can't draw on walls.''

sjohanson@theage.com.au

Article: http://theage.domain.com.au/real-estate-news/when-pets-prove-a-problem-20110410-1d9cf.html

—–Original Message—–

From: Schafer P

Sent: Tuesday, 2 November 2010 10:26 AM

To: The Pet Loo

Subject: Save a dog's life

Dear The Pet Loo Blog Representative:

We all love a beautiful floral bouquet, but did you know that some plants and flowers can be deadly to your dog?  Here at 1stinflowers.com we love our furry friends and want to make sure they are safe, so we created a page on our website with important information that you can link to for your readers.

You can check it out at:

http://www.1stinflowers.com/articles/poisonous-plants-for-dogs.html

Not everyone knows what a Rhododendron looks like (which can cause kidney failure, convulsions and even death when eaten by dogs) so not only does our page have a list of the names of poisonous plants and flowers you should keep your dog away from, it has pop up pictures for each so you know exactly what the poisonous foxglove and other deadly plants looks like.

Please copy and paste the link we provided below *** onto your website so that all of our doggy friends stay healthy and happy.

Sincerely,

Schafer P

1stinflowers.com

So you’ve made the decision to buy yourself a portable pet toilet. Congratulations! You’re one step closer to a more convenient pet lifestyle.

You’ve jumped online for a bit of research, maybe you’ve listened to your friends talking about them over coffee, or perhaps you’ve even seen them advertised on TV. Yet, it’s not until you finally get to your local pet retailer that you find yourself staring at two or three similar products. Which one do you choose?

There are some key factors for you to consider that will help you to decide what is the right product for you and your pet. The Pet Loo is an original and unique creation, but as we have seen with popular inventions in the past, once a well planned idea is launched to the public it is only a matter of time until another person or company tries to use the idea as their own.

While you may see variations of Loo’s in the market, you can rest assured that there is only one Pet Loo!

Accept no imitations! The Pet Loo has many well planned design features that other competing pet toilets do not offer:

·       Different sized Loo’s for different sized pets. Not all dogs are the same size, so why should a Great Dane cower on a small square of synthetic grass? Or if you live in compact apartment why should your balcony be taken up by a park sized- pet toilet when your dog is only a miniature breed? Our Pet Loo range covers three sizes, which cater for not only toy to large breeds of dog, but also for cats and furry critters.

·       The patented corrugated tray. The corrugations, or ridges, in the plastic tray aid gravity in draining urine away from the synthetic grass. The tray has also been produced using UV resistant plastics allowing Pet owners the option to use their Loo indoors or out.

·       The catchment jug. The position and size of the catchment jug has been created for easy removal and emptying without having to move or lift the entire unit. This avoids any accidental spillages and makes The Pet Loo one of the easiest to clean pet toilets on the market.

Be wary of cost. Price is not always a clear indicator of quality, nor should it be something to shy away from. After all, the cost of disposable puppy-pads, or other temporary absorbent mats, can cost thousands of dollars over the lifetime of a dog. The Pet Loo was designed to be as strong as possible so it could outlast the dog using it, and while it is not claimed to be unbreakable, the money saved from a one-off purchase far out-weighs the initial cost.

So before you hit the shops why don’t you click on our website, watch our videos and read our reviews. This way you won’t have to accept the imitations because you will know that The Pet Loo is best Loo for the job!

**The Pet Loo is a Globally Patented Product**

The new additions, Part 1

Pup-Pee Solutions are committed to developing innovative pet waste management products and the introduction of their latest developments, the Pee-Pod and Skip to My Loo, is a true example of that.

Pee-Pods have been developed to trap airborne odours contained in pet waste. The innovative Pod fits neatly inside the catchment jug of your Pet Loo. Liquid waste, on contact with the Pee-Pod and the WEE Sponge additive, turns instantly into a gel – this rapid absorption makes for easy disposal. The result significantly reduces airborne odours, furthering the performance of your Pet’s Loo.

A TRUE REVOLUTION!

Pee-Pods have been scientifically formulated using patented technology to blend nature and science – creating a product that uses natural materials to give supernatural results! With the Wee Sponge in a Pee-Pod, The Pet Loo’s catchment jug is able to hold at least 100 times its own weight in liquid and trap odours in a way like no other. Pee-Pods are completely safe to humans & pets and have been engineered using biodegradable materials; further reducing the carbon footprint of pet waste. With a lifespan of up to 3 days per Pee-Pod, once full, throw the whole Pod in the trash and simply replace with a fresh one!

And to create a full Pet Loo and waste management package, this month we have also released Skip to My Loo – a unique attractant that works as a toileting training aid!

The scent has been designed to attract and encourage your dog, puppy or kitten to relieve itself in an area designated by you. It makes a perfect companion for The Pet Loo and can be used indoors or out. Skip to my Loo is not a smelly extract of animal faeces; instead it is a scientifically formulated solution that mimics animal urine to attract your puppy or kitten.

These two new and innovative products can be purchased from your local Pet Loo stockist today!

The world’s biggest marketplace for pet experts

Over 1,450 exhibitors from more than 50 countries and a record gross display area of some 90,000 square metres make Interzoo the biggest and most important marketplace for the global pet supplies trade. 

The world’s leading exhibition for the pet industry offers the professional audience a comprehensive overview of the global market on a gross display area of more than 90,000 square metres.

Klaus Oechsner, President of the German Pet Trade & Industry Association (ZZF), the honorary sponsor of the exhibition, rates the great interest in Interzoo 2010 as an indication of a stable pet supplies market: “Living together with pets is still a source of great pleasure to people all over the world and in many countries pets are just being discovered as members of the family. The pet supplies market therefore has good growth prospects and Interzoo offers the ideal setting for launching new ideas.”[1]

And launching new ideas is exactly what Pup-Pee intends to do at Interzoo!

Introducing Pee-Pods – The New Kid on the Block!

Pee-Pods have been developed along with Wee Sponge to create a new and unrivalled moisture and odour absorber.

And what does every pup needs when they are first brought home… Skip to my Loo!

A unique attractant that helps you to toilet train your best friend!

The scent has been designed to attract and encourage your dog, puppy or kitten to relieve itself in an area designated by you. It makes a perfect companion for The Pet Loo and can be used indoors or out.

Pup-Pee hope to see you at this year’s Interzoo!

Hall 4, Booth 4A-508

13^th-16^th May 2010

Nuremberg, Germany

For International Licensing and Distribution contact Pup-Pee’s Los Angeles Office on:

+1 682 PET LOO 1

Pup-Pee Team: 42

Puppy: 27

Bottles of Liquid Ate: 1 (Yes, we finally finished one!)

Alright! Who took our angel puppy and replaced him with the devil dog? Can we have our cute, quiet little Zeke back please and not this terrorizing, biting, yapping creature! What a difference one week can make in the life of a puppy!

Zeke has finally discovered his voice and has been intent on using it whenever the phone rings, when we want to hold a meeting or when someone leaves the confines of the inner office. And it’s absolutely ear splitting! The neighboring offices must think we’ve hired Cruella de Vil and she’s torturing a room full of puppies!

Not to mention that anything within a foot from the ground now has teeth marks in it!

Zeke has also decided over the last few days, that even though he’s quite capable of using his Pet Loo, that he’d rather pee beside it, pee on his bed or pee behind our chairs. He enjoys playing with the paper towel when we clean up after him so much, that he will sometimes pee next to a fresh pee just so that more paper towel can be used.

It was time for the Office parents to put a foot down. Zeke’s movement around the office was cut off completely. He was reduced to a small area of linoleum in which he can play (lino is much easier to mop up than carpet) at all other times he was put on his leash and kept within the office.

By having Zeke on his leash, it made it much easier to keep him on The Pet Loo when it was time to do his business.

When he toilets successfully on his Loo, we reward him with a treat or playful pat. It’s far more effective to praise the heck out of your pup when they do the right thing, then it is to yell or punish them when they do the wrong thing.

That being said, after a few days of being on his leash Zeke began behaving well enough to be let off for a few hours every day. His toilet training was finally bounding (and weeing) in the right direction! He would run and play and yelp and bite, but whenever he felt the urge to go, he would dash up onto his Loo and ‘go wees’ without the assistance (or persistence) of an office parent!

It’s the most exciting day we’ve had in the office this year! Not only did very little work get done in the morning, as we all laughed and giggled at what a delight little Zeke was, and how quiet he was for a pup, but so did everyone else in the surrounding offices. It seemed anyone that could make an excuse to knock on our door, did!

And Zeke was the perfect little angel through all the pats and cuddles from so many new faces. All he had to do was bat his ginger eyelashes to get every adult in the room talking in that funny, high-pitched voice normally used on small children; “Who’s a gorgeous little boy? You are Zeke, you are!”

No one was more excited when we pulled The Mini Wee Pet Loo out of the box than Zeke – though he was more interested in rolling on the grass, than using it as a toilet. But hey, that’s all part of the training right?

We armed ourselves with paper towel, Liquid Ate (Stain eliminator) and Whiff Off (odour eliminator) ready for the onslaught of pee! How disappointed we were – there was no need for our preparations at all! Within minutes of being in the office Zeke had already done a number two’s on the Mini Wee and under the watchful eye of his many new office parents, had been spotted in the squat position and swiftly picked up and placed on the Mini Wee before a single drip fell onto the carpet.

Pup-Pee Team: 2

Puppy: 0

Though by mid-morning he was passed out in that position favoured by most dogs; flat on his back, spread eagled, snoring that cute little puppy snore (you know the one, it gets louder and less cute the bigger they grow!).

When he finally woke up in the afternoon we had a ‘number one’ accident followed shortly by a ‘number one’ jackpot! A direct pee on the Mini Wee, though this was a pick up by an office parent rather than Zeke making the effort himself.

We placed him on the Mini Wee after his accident to help him associate the Loo with toileting and he was given a treat after his ‘jackpot’ pee! You can never praise young pups enough when they do the right thing – it will only encourage them to continue with that particular behavior in future.

All in all, we left the office unscathed and feeling rather happy about ourselves. Every dog, just like every toddler, takes toilet training at their own pace and it seemed that Zeke was making this a lot easier on us then we could have ever hoped for!

 

Below is an email which has been posted (unedited) from a customer in New Zealand.

—– Original Message —–

From: Sharon C

To: nz@thepetloo.com

Sent: Monday, January 11, 2010 10:01 PM

Subject: Thank You! 

Hi guys

I have recently moved into an apartment and purchased one of the Pet Loos for my dog – an elderly Staffordshire Terrier. 

Just wanted to say the product is fantastic and with a bit of positive coaching my girl was using the loo within a day.

I have shared custody of the dog so only have her in the weekends and even with that ‘irregular’ training she is continuing to use it without issue. 

Please pass this on to the Pet Loo people.

It’s a great product and has made a huge difference to managing her happily in this environment.

I only wish I had heard of these when she had cruciate ligament surgery a few years ago (both legs at different times unfortunately) – would have saved my back carrying her in and out of the garden ! 

Kind regards

Sharon C

(Auckland, New Zealand)

Pookinuk believes in quality for your best friend, searching the world to bring you products of the highest quality for your pet to enjoy.[1] 

At Pookinuk you will only find quality products that your pet will love. 

Pookinuk utilises the Internet to offer a home delivery service, which takes the hassle out of providing the best quality pet food for your pet. No more heavy bags, parking hassles, queues or fuel costs!   Just shop from the comfort of your home and Pookinuk will deliver to your door. 

Pookinuk offers a convenient alternative to traditional pet supply outlets. A unique combination of the internet, home delivery and quality products allows customers to receive all their pet supplies at the click of a button.

You can even buy PetPlan’s dog & cat insurance at Pookinuk.  

Pookinuk also firmly believe in giving back to the community that supports them and so have joined forces with PetRescue to help Australia's rescue pets! If you nominate PetRescue and purchase pet food from the Pookinuk website, Pookinuk will donate a percentage of the purchase to help support us in the work we do. 

Pup-Pee and Pookinuk joined forces in early 2007 and since then Pookinuk have become one of our strongest selling retailer partners.

“If you love your pet……you’ll love Pookinuk!"[2]

[1] http://www.petrescue.com.au/information_library/rescue_news/petrescue_newsletters/426

[2] http://www.pookinuk.com.au/about-pookinuk.asp